Southern Kashmir is vastly different from the more popular locations of Northern Kashmir, which is perhaps why true travel enthusiasts make a deliberate effort to ensure that they are not missing out on any small or big destination in South Kashmir! Achabal is one such little, lone place that can be visited by simply stopping on our journey towards Srinagar. Most tourists however like to reach Chatpal first, and this way you can also visit one of the most popular tourist attractions in Kashmir – the Martand Sun Temple. Achabal is dotted with tiny wooden cabins and roadside stalls that sell the most delicious Maggi and local Srinagar cuisine.
Achabal: Tourist Places & Activities – Another Hidden Location for The True Lovers Of Kashmir
1. Achabal Mughal Gardens
The southern part of Kashmir is dotted with beautiful sulphurous water springs. Achawal also has one such gorgeous spring, and that is the main attraction of this region. Even if you do not have time to experience all the other exciting things to do in Achabal, you must definitely make time to visit the spring and Mughal Gardens located here – on your way towards bigger destinations. The spring itself is surrounded by a beautifully maintained terrace garden built by emperor Jahangir. Pleasant old and new monuments further stand erect within the premises. All in all, this photogenic location is also a charming escape for the soul.
Entry fee: 15 INR per person
Opening and closing timings: 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Time taken to visit: 2 to 3 hours
2. Hike In The Nearby Forests
Achabal is surrounded by a thick foliage of vegetation. There are many walkable patches of forest land around the inhabited area in this valley which can be accessed by tourists, hikers, photographers and more. Since you cannot completely trust a foreign land and these are pretty thick forests, it is best to take the help of a friendly local guide as you climb the surrounding hills. You will find a peaceful world of women carrying firewood, young men and women going to work, children going to school and a lot more on your walk. If you end up climbing to the top of any nearby hill, you can peep down at the entire valley and enjoy your bird’s eye view unperturbed. You can walk through the woods to reach Nagdandi Ashram too if that is something you fancy.
Entry fee: no entry fee
Opening and closing timings: no official opening or closing timings
Time taken to visit: minimum 4 to 5 hours
3. Martand Sun Temple
Even the most naive traveller in Kashmir has heard of this extraordinary historical destination. The Martand Sun Temple is one of the most famous ancient Hindu temples in Kashmir – it was built in the 8th century by Lalitaditya Muktapid of the Karkota dynasty. It is a stone structure that has withstood the climatic hardships of so many centuries and still stands tall, surrounded by carefully groomed trees and its own graceful arches and pillars. It takes around 2 to 3 hours to get to Martand from Achabal. You cannot say you have visited all the most important spots for sightseeing in Achabal without having seen this tourist destination properly.
Entry fee: no entry fee
Opening and closing timings: open 24 hours
Time taken to visit: 1 hour
4. Stargaze in the Natural Valley
for tourists who love a peaceful vacation away from the loud crowds, activities like stargazing and camping often sound delightful. While Achabal only has a few professional camping agencies available, camping is one of the most popular activities to do in Achabal and for that matter, all around Kashmir. You can camp at any unprotected but safe area within the town premises and watch the clear sky at night. Even if you are not camping, make sure to sit outside with your love once at night just so you can point out the stars in the jet-black night sky!
Entry fee: no entry fee
Opening and closing timings: open 24 hours
Time taken to visit: minimum 2 to 3 hours
5. Picnicking at Chattabal
Chattabal is a location quite close to the main town of Achabal, which is named after the wonderful and fierce Chattabal River. This is where the valley opens up and you can see a fast-gushing river flow through an open area of land covered in ferns, willows and chestnut trees. All around the snow-capped peaks of the Pir Panjal ranges fascinate and astound you. Most people come here for a one-day picnic trip but you can even stay here at 500 INR per night. Chattabal is definitely a must-visit among all the tourist places in Achabal and nearby regions.
Entry fee: 500 INR per person in case you want to stay the night.
Opening and closing timings: open 24 hours
Time taken to visit: 6 hours to one day
Frequently Asked Questions?
A. Achabal can be properly covered within one or two days. If you want to explore the natural beauty of this location make sure you stay here at least for 3 days.
A. It takes approximately 2 hours to get to Chattabal from Achabal.
While it might be a little too hectic to visit all three places in the same day, you can manage to complete Achabal, Verinag and Kokernag in the span of 2 days if you only select the most popular locations from each one of these tourist destinations.
Conclusion
Achabal travel packages are usually simple and affordable. They can carefully be included into a broader itinerary for those tourists who are coming from far across the country. When it comes to Kashmir travel packages for small but breathtaking locations like Achabal, you can request our travel agent to make your trip as short or as long as you wanted to be – take it from us, spending a few extra days in the lap of nature will do you and your love ones a lot of good!
